Signal device



R. A. RoDRlcK 2,301,584

Nov. 10, 1942.

SIGNAL DEVICE Filed Oct. ll, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet l Y IIII Fii i9 INVENTOR RAYMOND A. RODRICK.

' BMW, ,1Min

ATTORNEY Nov. 10, 1942.

R. A. lRolDRlczK 2,301,584

SIGNAL DEVICE Filed Oct.

3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. /CFA YMCA/D 4. Renfe/CK.

ATTORNEY.

NOV. A10, 1942. R' A. RODRICK 2,301,584

SIGNAL DEVICE Filed Oct, 11, 1940 3 SheetS-Sheetl 5 Fi .12 Y

I NVENTOR. RA YMOND A PoDP/CK.

ATTORNEY.

Patented Nov. 10, 1.942

UNITI-:D STATES' PATENT oFFicE SIGNAL nevica Raymond A. Rodi-ick, Akron, Ohio Application October 11, 1940, Serial No. 360,810 s claims. (Caml-337) This invention relates to a signal device and more particularly to an improvement in signal devices for automobiles of the type disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 285,585, filed July 20, 1939. I

It is among the objects of my invention to provide a signal device which will include signal light units at the rear of the vehicle so as to indicate the intention of the driver with respect I to the continued progress of the vehicle, whether to left or right, and .whether or not acceleration or deceleration condition is to be established.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a signal device according to the preceding object that will include a switch box for the signal lights that may be conveniently mounted on the floor of the drivers compartment and be operated in conjunction with the foot pedal which is ordinarily used to -open and close the throttle.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a signal deviceaccording to the preceding objects, wherein a tilting of the foot pedal for the throttle about one axis will light a signal light, indicating throttle opening or closing condition and a tilting of the foot pedal about another axis will indicate the drivers intention with respect to directional progress ofthe-vehicle.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a signal device according to the preceding object, wherein the signal light which indicates directional progress of the vehicle is also controlled or limited by that movement of the foot pedal which indicates the forward progress of the vehicle.

As will be understood from the disclosure of my copending application above referred to, I have therein provided a directional signal/light system and a signal light system indicating throttle-opening conditions, both of 'which are controlled and operated by a single foot pedal.

One of the important advantages and improvements of my invention is an arrangement whereby the directional signal light may be operated by tilting the foot pedal about one axis and the current flowing through such directional signal light will be automatically interrupted by a foot throttle movement about another axis.

It will be understood by those familiar with this art that as the driver of the vehicle approaches a corner where it is intended to make a right-hand turn, and he so operates the signal light device to indicate a turn, it is important that as soon as the turn is negotiated the signal light indicating the turn be rendered inoperative.

Numerous signal devices heretofore provided 55 for use in motor vehicles have resulted in arrangements which requlre conscious and voluntary effort on the part of the operator to interrupt the directional signal light after a turn has been effected. Failure on the part of the operator to shut oif or otherwise render inoperative the directional signal light, after a turn has been made, results in the vehicle proceeding down the highway and indicating a turn long after the turn has been made. Danger attendant upon an arrangement which requires conscious and voluntary action on the part of the operator have resulted in the prohibition in certain states of the use of signal lights of this type.

According to my invention, the signal light device is operated so as to indicate a turn and thereafter as the turn is being effected, the normal accelerating action by the operator automatically interrupts the directional signal so that no conscious or voluntary elort on the part of the operator is .required to interrupt the directional signal light. This action is accomplished according to my invention by an interlocking arrangement between the switch parts which operate the lights indicating throttle opening and the switch parts which operate the directional signal lights.

Further objects and advantages relating to simplicity in construction, economies in manufacture and safety in operation of the vehicle will be found in the following description and the appended drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a wiring diagram for a signal light system made according to my invention;

Figure 2 is an elevation showing the arrangement of the signal light switch box on the floor board of an automobile with the foot pedal which operates the automobile throttle mounted on the switch box;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the switch box with the cover removed and parts broken away;

Figure 4 is an elevation with parts in section, taken through the switch box;

Figure 5 is an end elevation taken as indicated by lines 5-5 of Figure 3;

Fgure 6 is a transverse section through the switch box as indicated by line 6 6 of Figure 3;

Figure 'I is a transverse sectional view taken on the plane indicated at 1-1 of Figure 3;

.Figure 8 is a transverse sectional view taken along the plane indicated at 8--8 in Figure 3;

Figure 9 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line 9-9 of Figure 3;

Figure 10 is a transverse sectional view taken along the plane indicated at lli-I0 in Figure 3;

Figure 1i is a sectional view showing the terminal connections in the switch box as indicated in II--II of Figure 3;

Figure 12 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along the line I2-I2 of Figure 3;

Figure 13 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along the line I3-I3 of Figure 3;

Figure 14 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along the line I4-I4 of Figure 3; and

Figure 15 is a sectional view with parts broken away, taken on the plane indicated at I5--I5 of Figure 3.

In the preferred form of my invention, which is illustrated in the drawings, a signal light unit indicated in its entirety as at 5 in Figure 1, is mounted in the rear or incorporated in the rear portion of the vehicle and comprises four lights 1, 8, 9 and I0, vertically arranged; the top light 1 being a red light to indicate that the vehicle is coming to a stop or that the brakes have been applied; the light 8, therebelow, being yellow and indicating caution or deceleration of the vehicle; the light 8 being a green light and indicating a throttle opening or accelerating condition of the vehicle and the lower light IB being a white light to illuminate the license plate ot the vehicle, which may be mounted therebeneath.

At the leit hand side of unit 6 is a directional light unit indicated in its entirety as at I I, which includes a light I2 to illuminate an arrow pointing to the left and a light I3 to illuminate a section adjacent the arrow.

A unit similar to the unit I I, as at I4, is mounted at the right hand side of the vehicle and this unit also includes two lights I5 and I6.

A switch box is diagrammatically shown in Figure l as at I1. 'I'he switch box it will be understood as the description proceeds carries the switching elements designed to establish the current flow to the various lights of my signal system.

The wiring system may include the conventional stop lights at each side of the rear of the vehicle as at I8 and I9.

The automobile storage battery is indicated as at 2li and a line 2| leading from the storage battery enters the switch box. Inasmuch as this line is the main source of current for my signal system, it will be referred to as the hot line into the switch box.

A line 2Ia is tapped on a line 2I adjacent the switch box and leads into the switch box through a flasher unit 2 Ib. The flasher unit is connected into that portion oi the switch mechanism which operates the directional signals and thus the current leading from the battery to the directional signals is automatically interrupted at intervals so that the directional signals will flash on and od at regular intervals while they are in operation. 'I'he flasher unit 2 Ib may be of any conventional type available for low voltage direct current such as is employed in devices of this character.

A line 22 leads from the switch box to the red light 1, a line 23 leads from the switch box to the green light 9 and a line 24 leads from the switch box to the yellow light 8.

I have indicated, as at 25 in Figure l, a handoperated switch which may be conveniently placed on an instrument panel oi the automobile and which is in the light circuit controlling the'. directional signal lights. This switch is provided operator the condition of the directional lighting system.

A line 28 tapped from the hot line 2I leads to the manual switch 25 and by operation oi the hand switch either to the left or right, current is directed through the line 23 and thence through 38 to the right hand directional signal I4 or through the line 3| thence through 32 to the left hand signal II.

When the directional signal lights are operated by the switch mechanism in the main switch box I1, the current is led out of the switch box through line 33 and thence to the left hand signal II or out of the switch box through line 34 and thence through line 30 to the right-hand i directional light I4.

A hot line 2l leading to the hand-operated switch 25 and to the foot-Operated switch mechanism in I1 may be controlled by a separate switch indicated at 35.

The conventional red stop lights I8a and Ha at the rear of the vehicle are provided with the usual wires leading from the battery as at 35 and 31.

The switch 39 in line 31, being in the same circuit as the headlight system of the vehicle, maintains a constant red light through line 40. The switch 4I in line 38 is preferably connected to the foot brake so that a bright red stop light is operated through line 42 whenever the foot brake is applied.

Switch 43 connects line 31 with a line 44 which leads to the white light I0, adapted to illuminate the license plate. A line 45 runs from the line 42 into the switch box where it is utilized in connection with the yellow or caution light as more fully described hereinafter.

Referring to Figure 2, the throttle rod 5I! projects through the iioor board of the vehicle and is connected as at 5I by a ball and socket joint to the foot pedal 52. The rear end of the foot pedal 52 is connected through spaced ball and socket joints 53-53 to a plate member 54. The member 54 is in turn pivoted as at 55 to a block 56 which is journaled on the pin 51 for rotational movement about the axis of the pin 51. The block 56 is provided on its upper surface as at 58 with a fork or yoke member adapted to receive a pin 59.

From the construction just described, it will be understood that the foot pedal 52 may rock on the ball and socket joints 53 for accelerating and decelerating movement of the pedal and at the same time the pedal in its entirety may be rocked about the axis of the pin 51. The rocking movement of the pedal about the pin 51 is carried through the members 56 and 58 and thence through' the pin 59 to the switch parts within the switch box I1 so as to operate the directional signal lights.

AA switch operating arm 60 projects outwardly through a slot 6I in the switch box and is provided with a rounded end portion 62 designed to bear against the under side of the foot pedal 52. The arm 60 is normally urged upwardly against the foot pedal by a spring 63. The switch arm 60 is pivoted within the switch box and it will be observed that the arrangement is such that the switch arm 60 follows the foot pedal travel up and down as the foot pedal is rocked on the ball and socket joints 53-53.

It will also be understood as this description proceeds that switch elements within the switch box I1 are operatively connected to the arm 68 so that the depressing or accelerating movement of the pedal l2 will light the green light! and an upward or decelerating movement oi the vfoot pedal B2 will light the yellow or caution light I.

At the rear end of the switch box, and pivotallycarriedontheendofthepinnwithintheswitch box, is an arm I! formed oi hard rubber or other non-conducting material, which is provided at its outer end B8 with a slot or fork t1 which is adapted to embrace the end portion Il of a iiexible metal strip 6l. One end o! the strip "lsanchoredasshowninll'igureltoablock oi' insulating material 1l by means of a screw 1|. Metal strips 12 and 12 are insulated with respect to each other and mounted on the block 10 in alignment with the strip l2 (see Figure 12) The members 12 and 12 are provided with contact points in alignment with a contact point carried by the strip 6,9 and thus when the strip "is iiexed, as shown in Figure 12, current may iiow through the strip B8 into the strip 13 and thence to the terminal 14 and the wire 3l which leads to the left directional signal light il. The strip 69 is exed to eilect this action by the rocking of the member 65 through its pin connection 58-58. Y

When the foot pedal is rocked about the axis of the pin 51 to the right, the member I5 iiexes the strip 69 upwardly so as to interrupt the connection to strip 13 and to establish a connection with the strip 12. Current ilowing through the strip l! thence through strip 12 is led out of the switch box through the strip 15 and thence to the wire 2l leading to the right directional signal. The current is led into thev exible strip 69 through the hot line 2|a and thus it will be understood the strip 69 may be flexed upwardly or downwardly to light either one of the directional signal lights or may assume a neutral position between the strips 12 and 13, wherein neither of the directional signal lights is operated.

The member i5 which actuates the directional signal lights as above described, is provided on a vertical face thereof with a projection 11 and this projection 11 is adapted to be moved into alignment with either of two recesses 1I and 1i, which are formed in a ilexible metal strip Il secured as at 82 to theside wall of the switch box. The member l0 is normally resiliently urged toward the projection 11 so that it tends to hold the member 11 and^i carrying block Il in either of the recesses 1l-o 19. For instance, if the Afoot pedal is rocked to the left andthe projection 11 is in a lowered position, the member 1l tends to hold the member 65 in said lowered position.

A leaf spring 8| is mounted beneath the member I6 (see Figure 5) so that it bears against a ilattened portion 82 on the member 56 and constantly tends to restore the member 56 to its horizontal position as shown in Figure 5. The member 56, however, may be restrained from assuming its normal horizontal position by the latching effect of the member 80 and its two recesses 18-19.

An angular bracket 83 is secured to the member .I and this bracket is provided with a wire clip 85 having downturned end 86 fitted into a recess I1 on a pints. The pin I! is actuated by the switch-operating arm il and thus when the arm l0 is depressed by the foot pedal, the pin I is turned forwardly and by its forward movement pulls the member I0 forwardly so as to unlatch the member 8l from the projection 11.

As shown in Figure 8, a disc |22 is mounted for a limited rotational movement on the sleeve and one iiat face of this disc bears against 75 thepivoted oitbemembertl. Thedisc I2. is resiliently urged against the tace-oi the member llbyacoilspring l2| maintainedon the The pin Il projects laternamed and is provided 81 to receive the wire clip li. The disc |20 is preferably shaped at its lower sideasshowninl'iguredsothatthediscislimited in its pivotal movement by the cam faces |28 and |24. Whenever the member Ol is rocked forwardly, the disc |2l is frictionally rocked therewith as permitted by the face |24 and whenever the member il is moved upwardly as in deceleration movement. the dise |2l rocks rearwardly as limited bythe face |22. This limited movement described is sumcient to control the member ll and pull it in and out of latching engagement with the projection 11.

Thus it will be understood that after the directional Binal light has been lighted by a rocking of the loot pedal about the axis of pin l1, it will remain in its lighted condition until it is wtched by a depressing movement of the i'oot Those familiar with the normaloperation i a motor vehicle know that the foot pedal is raised somewhat so as to decelerate while-making a turn and the pedal remains in decelerated position until theV turn is partially negotiated and that as the turn is ilnally elected, the operator depresses the pedal so as to again accelerate.

I have utilised this normal operation of the foot pedal so as to automatically unlatch the directional signal soon after the turn has been made and at a time when the directional signal is no longer required. `Thus the current flow through either directional signal is interrupted by an accelerating movement ofv the foot pedal which is the natural and normal mode of operation and requires no conscious or voluntary action by the operator.

It is possible. of course, for the operator to maintain the directional Signal lighted during an acceleration of the vehicle by consciously and voluntarily holding the pedal tilted while making a turn. Unless there is a conscious and voluntary eilort, however, on the part of the operator, the spring Il will restore the pedal to its normal position as shown in Figure 5 and thus the directional signalI will be rendered inoperative.

Coming now to that'part ofthe switch mechanism which operates the red, yellow and green lights 1 to i, inclusive, I have utilised a frictional switch arrangement generally similar to that employed in the device disclosed in my copending application above referred to. This mechanism includes a plate Il which is secured to the main switch box n by screws sl 'and n. The pme so carries a pin It which projects laterally into the switch box. An arm I4 is iournaled on the sleeve .l carried by the pin for free rocking movement and is limited in its rocking movement by the screw-and-slot arrangement -IT. The arm il is urged .axially of the sleeve against a face on the switch-actuating arm 0l by a coiled spring Il. This arrangement provideska slipping, frictional clutch between the arm Il and the member M so that as the arm l is depressed by foot-pedal movement, the member Il is moved therewith to the extent permitted by the screwand-slot arrangement 06-01. Further movement in one' direction of the arm Il is ineilective to move the arm l beyond the limits provided by the screw-and-slot arrangement. The free end oi the arm Il is provided with a yoke or slot as at Il to embrace a nexibie metal strip Illl.

The member III is anchored at one end as at lli to the block 1l and this anchored portion is connected to the hot wire 2l which leads to the battery. Whenever the switch-actuating member Il is moved downwardly in response to accelerating movement of the foot pedal l2, the member I4 ilexes the strip Ill downwardly and into contact with a member |02, which leads to the terminal i" and thence outwardly of the switch box to wire Il which leads to the green iight i. Upon a raising of the foot pedal l2, the member Il is rocked upwardly and connects with a contact Ill carried by the member i, The Lshaped member i (Figure 3) is mounted on the block 1I and is electrically connected to an arm lli which overhangs the core of a solenoid |01. The free end of the member i" carries a contact ill normally bearing against a contact Y understood that whenever the vehicle is accelerated by depressing the pedal 52, an electrical circuit is established through the member I" and thence through the wire 2l to light the green signal light I -and that whenever the vehicle is decelerated the strip ill moves upwardly to estahlish an electrical circuit from the strip |00 to the wire 24 and thence to light the yellow or caution signal.

The wire II which is tapped from the line 42 leads into the switch box and through the terminal III, thence to the ileld winding of relay coil Ill. One end oi this wire leading to the ileld coil leads out oi the switch box through wire Il! and thence to a ground lll. Whenever the switch 4I, which is connected to the foot brake is closed, it establishes a flow of current in the solenoid or relay Ill and thus whenever the brake pedal is actuated by the operator, the relay ill is energized. The eect of energizing the relay lll is to pull the member il. toward the coil lll and break the circuit maintained through llt-lli.

In addition to breaking the circuit through III-Ill, Just mentioned, the function oi' the relay is to establish a circuit through ill vto contact Ill which is electrically connected to terminal lll, leading through the wire 22 to the red light From the foregoing it will be understood that during a deceleration movement of the pedal l2,

the yellow light will be maintained until the vehicle operator depresses the brake pedal so as to close the switch 4I and thereafter the current theretofore ilowing through llt-ill! to the yellow light will be directed through lot-ill to the red light. This insures that the yellow or caution light will remain on until the red or stop light I is lighted and that the two lights cannot be lighted at the same time.

In operation a signal device such as I have provided does not interfere with the normal opopen-throttle condition is maintained. when, however. the toot pedal is raised, the member Il moves upwardly therewith and through the initial portion of its upward travel moves the member I4 upwardly and establishes a circuit elective to light the yellow or caution light. The yellow or caution light will remain on during the deceleration position ot the foot pedal, but as loon as the throttle is again depressed, the green light will again be lighted. In the event that the brake ia applied during a decelerating movement, the solenoid or relay Ill will redirect the now of current from the member I" to the red light l.

Throughout any of the accelerating or decelerating movement oi the foot pedal Il, the pedal may be tilted about the axis oi the pin II so as to light either oi the directional-signal lights. In the event the operator has tilted the pedal so aa to light either oi' the directional lights to indicate a turn, the operator will normally deoelerate while negotiating the turn and as soon as the turn is made will again move the pedal to an accelerating position. The last-mentioned acison unlatches the member Il so that the foot pedal is restored by spring Il to its normal position shown in Figure 5.

It will be understood, however, that the operator may maintain the pedal tilted about the axis oi' pin l1 regardless of the acceleration or deceleration position' of the switch-actuating member 6I by consciously maintaining a pressure through the ioot pedal on either side o( the axis oi the pin l1.

Although I have described and shown the pre- Ierred embodiment of my invention in considerable detail, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that numerous changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as deilned by the following claims.

I claim:

l. A signal light system for motor vehicle comprising a foot pedal mounted to rock about axes `transverse with respect to each other, rocking movement of the pedal about one axis elicotive to move a throttle rod to open and closed positions, a switch box mounted beneath said pedal provided with a pair of movable switchu, one switch operatively connected to the pedal being moved in 'response to throttle rod opening and closing movements and the other switch operatively connected to the pedal and moved in response to a rocking of the pedal about its other axis, a pair of direction-indicating lights, a pair of throttle rod-position-indlcating lights, said throttle rod-indicating lights connected to said one switch for selective operation and said direction-indicating lights connected to the other switch for selective operation, and means operatively connecting said two switches whereby movement of said pedal about said one axis oontrols a movement ot said pedal about said other axis.

2. A signal light system for motor vdiicl comprising a foot pedal mounted to rock about axes transverse with respect to each other, rocking movement of said pedal about one axis clicctive tovcontrol the throttle rod, rocking movement of said pedal about said other axis elective to move a switch for operating direction-indieating signal lights, interlocking means connected to said switch operatively connected to' said pedal constructed and arranged so that rocking o! the pedal about said one axis controls said switch movement.

3. A signal light system for motor vehicl including a foot-operated pedal, said pedal mounted to rock about axes transverse with respect to each other, the rocking of said pedal aboutl one axis in a downwardly direction establishing a circuit to light a green light, a rocking of said pedal about said one axis in an upward direction eifective to establish a circuit to a yellow light, a rocking of said pedal about said other axis in one direction effective to light a directional signal light, a rocking of said pedal about said other axis in another direction eil'ective to light a second direction-indicating light, means tending to maintain said pedal in a position intermediate said last-named rocked positions, latching means adapted to hold said pedal in either of said lastnamed rocked positions, said latching means moved to an unlatched position by a downwardly rocking movement of said pedal about said one axis.

4. A signal device for motor vehicles comprising a pedal adapted to be rocked on axes transverse to each other, a throttle rod connected to said pedal, said throttle rod moved to accelerating position by rocking the peda'l downwardly about one axis, a direction-indicating light switch connected to said pedal and moved therewith by pedal rocking movement about another axis, a pair of throttle-position-indicating lights, a switch for said last-named lights operatively connected to the pedal, interlocking means interconnecting said two switches, whereby movement of the secon-d switch is controlled by the movement of the rst switch.

5. A signal device for motor vehicles comprising a foot pedal mounted to rock about axes transverse with respect to each other, a switch box mounted beneath said pedal, a pair of switches in said switch box, one of said switches actuated by rocking movement of said pedal about one axis and the other of said switches actuated by rocking movement of the pedal about said other axis, and interlocking means connectting said switches whereby movement of one switch is controlled by the other switch.

6. A signal device for motor vehicles comprising a foot pedal mounted to rock about axes transa foot pedal mounted for rocking movement about an axis extending longitudinally of the pedal and about another axis extending transversely of the pedal, a switch connected to said pedal and moved thereby in response to pedal movement about its transverse axis, a second switch connected to said pedal and moved therewith in response to movement of the pedal about its longitudinal axis, interlocking means between said two switches, whereby the movement of said secondnamed switch is controlled by the movement of the pedal about its transverse axis.

8. A signal light system for motor vehicles including a foot-operated pedal, said pedal mounted to rock about a transverse axis, the rocking of said pedal about said axis in a downwardly direction establishing a circuit to light a green light, a rocking of said pedal about said axis in an upward direction eiective to establish a circuit to a yellow light, a pair of direction indicating lights, manually operated means to effect the completion of a circuit to one or the other of said directional indicating lights, interlocking means operatively connected to said pedal and to the means for completing the circuit to the direction-indicating lights to interrupt said ciri cuit to said directional sign-al lights in response to pedal movement in a downwardly direction.

RAYMOND A. RODRICK. 

